Changdeokgung Palace hosts Donggwol Dongrak from 10 November

Changdeokgung Palace, also called Changdeokgung, in Seoul will host part of Donggwol Dongrak from 10 to 15 November 2026. The evening programme links the palace with nearby Changgyeonggung and opens a normally closed route between their rear gardens.

The announcement gives Western European visitors a specific reason to look beyond the daytime palace circuit. Changdeokgung Palace is the venue for guided exploration, small theatrical performances and free viewing in the rear garden during six November evenings.

Donggwol Dongrak opens a route between two palaces

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and the Korea Heritage Agency are organising Donggwol Dongrak from 10 to 15 November 2026. The programme takes visitors through Changgyeonggung before continuing into Changdeokgung Palace and its rear garden.

According to the organiser, the route includes commentary presented through the role of a Joseon court painter. Small performances at Myeongjeongjeon, Tongmyeongjeon, Uidohap and Daechundangji present anecdotes connected with the sites. The programme is run four times each evening, with sessions beginning at 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm and 7.30pm. The organiser lists the November programme.

The central access change is the opening of Yeongchunmun, a gate normally closed to the public. Visitors can use it to move between the rear gardens of the two palaces, while the programme also includes traditional Korean music at Yeonghwadang and actors presenting aspects of royal court life. Changgyeonggung's regular night viewing will not operate during the event.

Changdeokgung Palace puts its rear garden in focus

Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung were collectively known as Donggwol, or the Eastern Palaces, during the Joseon period. That historical connection gives the November route a direct link to the programme's title and explains why the event crosses the boundary between the two sites.

The rear garden contains named areas including Buyongji and Aeryeonji, which form part of the palace experience described for the programme. The palace is recognised as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while major buildings and garden spaces provide the setting for the evening route. Changdeokgung Palace's heritage setting is also documented by the Korea Tourism Organization.

For travellers, the practical distinction is important: Donggwol Dongrak is not simply a later visit to the usual palace grounds. It is a scheduled programme that connects two royal sites, includes a restricted gate and adds performances to the garden route. Participation is allocated by lottery rather than ordinary walk-in admission.

Visiting Changdeokgung Palace: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Donggwol Dongrak takes place at Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung from 10 to 15 November 2026.
• Yeongchunmun opens for the programme, allowing participants to move between the two rear gardens. Changgyeonggung's regular night viewing is suspended during the same period.
• The route begins at Changgyeonggung and includes Changdeokgung garden areas such as Uidohap, Aeryeonji and Buyongji, with music at Yeonghwadang.
• The programme is in Seoul, and South Korea's official language is Korean and its national currency is the South Korean won.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Changdeokgung Palace

When does Donggwol Dongrak take place at Changdeokgung Palace?

The programme runs from 10 to 15 November 2026 and connects Changdeokgung Palace with Changgyeonggung.

What can visitors see at Changdeokgung Palace during Donggwol Dongrak?

Participants can explore the rear garden, pass through Yeongchunmun, hear traditional Korean music and watch small performances linked to the palace route.

Where is Changdeokgung Palace and how do you get there?

Changdeokgung Palace is in Seoul, South Korea. Donggwol Dongrak begins at nearby Changgyeonggung before continuing through the connected palace gardens.